Indian Civil Aviation Ministry devises No Fly categories and quantum of punishment for unruly passengers
Earlier in the day, Union Minister of Civil Aviation, Ashok Gajapathi Raju had tweeted, "To ensure safety and check unruly & disruptive behaviour on aircraft, we will put in place, mechanism for country's first No-Fly list today."
Level 1 of the No-Fly offence category includes unruly physical gestures, verbal harassment and unruly inebriation and prescribes a ban upto three months.
Level 2 includes physically abusive behaviour (pushing, kicking, hitting, inappropriate touching) with a ban upto six months.
Level 3 includes life threatening behaviour (assaults, damage to aircraft systems etc.) where the passenger will be banned for a minimum of two years.
"No-Fly ban will be in addition to any statutory legal action that can be taken against the offender under existing laws," said Minister Raju .
"Decision will be taken by an independent committee under a retired District Judge within a period of 30 days of alleged offence," he said.
He also tweeted, "Goes without saying, but since many have asked, let me reply - the No-fly list provisions are applicable to EVERY passenger. No exemptions."
In 2017, two high profile incidents raised a huge debate about the treatment of unruly passengers.
Ravindra Gaikwad, a Shiv Sena MP assaulted an Air India staffer aboard a plane in March. In June, TDP MP, JC Duwakar Reddy allegedly damaged property of Indigo airlines.
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